Classical Portraiture II

Good portraits in the classical tradition attempt to show people as they are. A classical portrait is minimalist portraiture, since it emphasizes the most recognizable part of a subject, the face. Everything else is less important. Typically, the subjects in these portraits aren't doing anything, they simply *are*. Their poses are relaxed without appearing stiff or awkward. Lighting is very important to give shape to the face, often using Chiaroscuro or Rembrandt lighting. These photographers made at least some famous portraits in the classical manner: Julia Margaret Cameron, Arnold Newman, Irving Penn, Yousuf Karsh, Alfred Stieglitz, Imogene Cunningham, and Philippe Halsman. Find some inspiration in these painters also: John Singer Sargent, Velazquez, Hans Holbein The Younger, Rembrandt, Anthony Van Dyck, Raphael, Joshua Reynolds, and Jan van Eyck.

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Announced:

Tuesday, 2nd October, 2012 (GMT)

Submissions:

Tuesday, 9th October, 2012 –
Monday, 15th October, 2012
(GMT)

Voting:

Tuesday, 16th October, 2012 –
Monday, 22nd October, 2012
(GMT)

Processing rules:

- No composite images.

- Black and white or color acceptable.

- These aren’t glamour photos, so don’t retouch your subject much or at all, and certainly don’t use blurring. While you are not attempting to make the subject look bad, your intent ought to be to show the person as they are.

- Most digital images are rather soft, so be sure to add some sharpening, especially to the eyes, hair, and teeth. Sharpening also brings out fine lines and wrinkles, which for our purposes is perfectly acceptable and even desirable.

Capture date rules:

No restrictions.

Additional rules:

- The portrait should strongly emphasize the face, and especially the eyes. If you use narrow depth of field, be sure that at least an eye is in sharp focus.

- This is not a glamour portrait. You are attempting to show a person as they are, and not how they desire to portray themselves.

- Your model should not wear much makeup; perhaps they should wear none at all. Fine lines in the face can be used to judge character and temperament.

- Use good lighting technique to sculpt the face with light and shadow.

- The background is a distraction. Make it very dark, or very light, largely featureless. If you have the right optics, you can blur it strongly.

- Too much skin is a distraction. Show the face, neck, and perhaps hands, and nothing else.

- Don’t be trendy. Attempt to make a portrait that will stand the test of time, if that is possible.

- Be sure your subject is comfortable and relaxed. They are not "posing", or trying to be sexy, nor trying to project an image of any kind.

Your complaint (along with the complaints of others regarding this entry) will be
reviewed by the challenge owner. Depending upon the nature and applicability of the
complaint, the entry may be disqualified. In extreme circumstances the user who submitted
the entry may receive a ban from the challenge or series in question.